Sunspots - Thursday February 21st 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number 0 still. A=3 and K=2.

Independent Group - NOT amateur radio

So far, 11 UK MPs have left their political parties to sit as independents in the House of Commons. To me, it looks like UK politics is in trouble with deep fissures in both main parties. By any analysis, the UK Prime Minister is making a mess of BREXIT, the UK leaving the EU.

In my view, a new grouping uniting moderate ex-Conservatives and moderate ex-Labour MPs is needed with a leader who is well respected as a fair and moderate person, forging policies by consensus rather than confrontation. Only time will tell how this will pan out.

Return to 160m FT8 RX

As 10m seems to be dire, I shall shortly QSY to 160m. Initially I shall be looking on 1.840MHz FT8 although I may move to 1.908MHz later hunting Japanese stations.

UPDATE 1707z:  Now 39 stations in 15 countries spotted so far on 160m FT8 RX today. Best DX is RW4PU (3362km).

UPDATE 1809z: As we are due to have grandchildren shortly for a few days, I have already moved to 1.908MHz FT8 RX in the hope of spotting some Japanese stations this evening. If I remember, I shall return to 1.840MHz FT8 RX before bed time.

UPDATE 2156z: No Japanese on 1.908MHz FT8 here tonight. I think there are fewer Europeans copied this evening around the Japanese "watering hole".  Shortly, I shall switch back to 1.84MHz FT8 RX

Landwade Church - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, on our walk, we went past Landwade Church. This is a very isolated church which, at this time of year, is surrounded by snowdrops. There were only a very few daffodils in flower.

Return to 10m FT8

A few minutes ago, I returned to 10m FT8. After a few CQs (2.5W) I am now RX only. As yet, no spots.

UPDATE 1550z:  Just G4CJC (74km) spotted. He was very strong (+6dB S/N), so probably aircraft reflection.

Geese - NOT amateur radio

Back in the late spring, I recall seeing young Barnacle geese in Finland. These birds usually come here in the winter to avoid the cold.

Yesterday, we did a local walk and saw these Greylag geese in a field with some Canada geese. The latter were introduced in the UK (1800s I think) and are well established now. If you see a goose in the UK it is most likely to be a Canada goose. Most farmyard geese originated from Greylags.

No Japanese here on 160m FT8

So, the evening passed and not a single Japanese station spotted on 1.908MHz FT8. Seeing how every time I go on 160m FT8 I spot North Americans this surprised me, as I expected to see at least one. What surprised me was the high number of Europeans on FT8 in that part of the band.

Later, more in hope than expectation, I shall probably revert to 10m FT8 RX on 28.074MHz.

Sunspots - Wednesday February 20th 2019

Solar flux is 68 today and the SSN zero again. A=3 and K=0.  Not good.

160m FT8 - Japan hunting

This evening, I am monitoring 1.908MHz FT8 in the hope of spotting some Japanese stations who do not have full access to the 160m band. According to Bas, the best chances are 2000-2200z. Later in the evening, I'll probably  revert to 1.84MHz FT8 in the hope of spotting some North Americans.

UPDATE 2308z: Although quite a few Europeans spotted up on 1.908MHz, sadly no Japanese.  It is now light there  so I think that is it for tonight.

XBS Telecom

Apart from the hassle of buying from overseas, XBS telecom seem to have the best prices inclusive of VAT and a 2 year warranty in Europe. As an example, the Yaesu FT991A retails at 1136.70 Euros. Additionally you can get a 100 Euros cash back from Yaesu.

See https://www.xbstelecom.eu/shop/en/fusion-digital-c4fm/148-yaesu-ft-991a-base-hf50144430mhz-analogiquec4fm.html

Oh, by the way the Yaesu FT991A is packed with a Yaesu 3 year warranty card!